Getting here
The Hilo International Airport code is ITO.
No major airlines fly directly from the U.S. mainland into Hilo. Most have connections in Honolulu (HNL). Other connection cities are Kahului and Kailua-Kona.
The complete trip time ranges from 8.5 hours to 13 hours. Northwest, United and Hawaiian often have the shortest flight durations.
Roundtrip fares from Los Angeles and San Francisco tend to cost $475 to $600, while flights from New York average out at $600 to $750. (Rates as of first quarter 2009). American Airlines tends to have slightly lower fares than its competitors, as it does on many domestic routes.
US Airways flights often have U.S. connections such as Phoenix and Las Vegas, as well as the stop in Honolulu.
Major U.S. airlines flying into Honolulu include
- American Airlines
- United
- Continental Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Delta
- Northwest
- US Airways
- Air Alaska
Beware of short connection times at Honolulu International, as the airport is frequently crowded and the “Wiki Wiki” shuttle service (soon to be replaced by moving walkways) can be painfully slow.
Airlines shuttling from Honolulu to Hilo are:
Typical roundtrip prices, if booked separately from the mainland flight, are $140-180. (There usually are no savings by doing this.)
Kona International (KOA) is the other large airport on the Big Island. Drive time between the two airports is about 2.5 hours.
All major rental car companies service the two airports. Rentals typically run $225 to $350 for midsized cars and about $450 for SUVs. (If you are going to the Mauna Kea observatories, an SUV or other four-wheel drive vehicle is required.)
International travel
Major foreign carriers flying into Honolulu include:
